Moray Monster Trails

Moray Monster Trails

Whether you’re totally new to off-road mountain biking, or a seriously expert rider looking for big thrills, there’s a trail here that’s just right for you, from an easy green-graded track to severe black-grade trails and orange-graded downhill and Northshore sections.

The Trails

The main Moray Monster Trails work as three independent sites, but there is a link between Ordiequish and Ben Aigan.

Ordiequish by Fochabers Start at Ordiequish if you’re looking for moderate-graded routes, the skills area and the renowned black-graded Gully Monster. Turn off the A96 by the chip shop in the middle of Fochabers, stay on this road for approx 1km to find the car park.

The Soup DragonGrade: blue (moderate)This is just pure fun: a fun-packed, friendly route that can be enjoyed at any level depending on how fast you want to go. You’re in control. There's just one catch – first you have to go up! Don’t worry, your climb up will be well rewarded. (It’s soup time!) Want a bit more? Keep climbing for an intermediate grade addition to The Soup Dragon - The Dragon's Tail.It's a 5 km (3 miles) round trip from the car park. Allow 45 mins.

GordzillaGrade: blue (moderate)This is a great flowing route – cruise it or ramp it, but you’ll certainly enjoy it. This fine monster can be linked to other trails like The Haggis. Allow 1 hour.(Gordzilla is a strange beast twice the size of any man, who builds trails through the wood when you’re sleeping. Gordzilla grew up eating mountain bikers and now survives on porridge).

The HaggisGrade: blue (moderate)You just want more don’t you? You want to meet The Haggis. This beastie, well known for running around mountains, has lately taken up mountain biking. He calls it progress. A great trip – full of interest – loads of fun, a fair distance but not too technical. The Haggis Connection is your gateway to Ben Aigan if you really fancy a long day.

The Gully MonsterGrade: black (Severe)An awesome trail of monster proportions! You won’t have ridden anything quite like this before. Full of technical interest. This isn’t your domain – this is the home of the Gully Monster.Skills AreaJust up from the Ordiequish car park. Learn more advanced bike skills here – bank a berm and take on a tabletop. Hone your technique and transfer it to the trail like an expert. See also the riding skills and tips page.

Whiteash (winding walks)Red- and orange-graded routes, including the Fochabers Freeride. To get to the Winding Walks car park, follow the A98 (towards Buckie) for 1km out of Fochabers.

The Fochabers RingGrade: red (difficult) A varied and full-on cross country trail of around 8km that you’ll want to ride again and again. Firstly there's a “no pain, no gain” climb up to the monument - and then the fun starts. A sense of adventure is essential; Hobbit’s hairy feet optional! Distance roughly 8km (5 miles).

Fochabers Freeride Grade: orange (bike park extreme) This trail is for advanced riders only. No matter how good you are – walk it before you ride it!Initially built almost entirely by volunteers, this is where the whole Monster Trails project started. Follow “The Ring” to the monument and then prepare for some very wild and scary riding! The top section of the Freeride trail includes big, technical Northshore wooden structures. Please make sure you’re capable of this style of riding – most of us aren’t.

The second section of the trail has big earth features, drops and jumps. After section two, rejoin “The Ring” back to the car park.

Ben Aigan Sustained red and black grade routes with a big hill feel, as well as The Bunny. Access the car park off the A95 near Mulben.

Starting or finishing in Craigellachie

If starting in Craigellachie, head up the Speyside Way into the forest past Arndilly. Note: don’t bring the car – there’s no parking. Follow the waymarkers that climb steeply up to join the Hammer. If finishing at Craigellachie, look for the waymarkers pointing you off the south end of the Hammer towards the town.

The Ben Aigan HammerGrade: red (difficult)Wow. A knock-out from The Hammer. One long, big hit ride around the summit of Ben Aigan with stunning views of the Spey valley. Big earth features and board walk sections. Finish off with the Mast Blast or Bunny for the full Ben Aigan experience. Note that the trail can be affected by the weather in winter.

The Mast BlastGrade: black (severe)A rushing downhill just beyond the big transmitter mast. Time to rock and roll! Deceptively speedy, with jumps. Check your speed and expect the unexpected.For the Spin City follow on: hit the forest road and turn right. Look for the marker taking you to the right for more singletrack switchbacks all the way back to the car park.

The BunnyGrade: orange (bike park extreme)What a thumper. Fast, free and furious, this trail has it all. Could it be the thinking rider’s downhill? The name? Don’t ask!When you hit the road, turn right, keep climbing and link with Spin City section of Mast Blast.

QuarrelwoodAn easy green-graded taster cross country route, just beside Elgin.The green-graded trail at Quarrelwood is an easy cross country route of around 4km and gives a taster of the main trails. It's a less formal route than the rest of the trails and is way-marked by white quartz rocks.

Start pointStart either in the Leggat car park at the west end of the forest, or from Brumley Brae car park if you are cycling from Elgin.Practice your skills here then head up to the main trails around Fochabers, where there's a dedicated skills area and moderate, blue-graded trails.Note that this is a busy wood which is also used by walkers, so please follow the forest cycling code while you are here.

Facilities

Parking You can park at each of the three main start points. The car parks are permanently open. Quarrelwood has two car parks. See how to get the the Moray Monster trails for more details of access by car.

ToiletsPublic toilets are available in Fochabers.

Cafes / food & drinkThere are local cafes available in Fochabers

Highland e-guide

The Moray Monster trails are featured in our interactive Highland E-Guide. Head straight to Page 82 to check out the maps, local information & more!